During my Blanket MKAL 2021 I’ll be using this element a few times. There are two ways of working it (I’ll explain both): with or without an auxiliary cable needle. Learning the second way will save you a lot of time and, once you get the hang of it, it’s easier! For this reason, I think it’s worthy to show you a step-by-step guide on how to make hachi twists.
Why the name “HACHI” TWISTS?
Well, since we’ll be navigating some japanese stitches during the KAL I couldn’t help the influence. Did you know that I studied japanese language many years ago? Besides considering it a beautiful language, I had the dream of getting my PhD in Biology at Kyoto University. Life took me in another direction and here I am! But my love for everything japanese remains strong.
“HACHI” is the japanese word for the number 8, and that’s exactly what I see when I look at this: little eights stacking up. Is it just me?
THE CHART
HACHI TWISTS WITH CABLE NEEDLE
You can work hachi twists using a cable needle to assist you in holding sts at the back or at the front. If you like this approach, your row-by-row instructions will be:
1) (1B, k1, k1B), (1F, k1, k1F)
2) p4
3) (1F, k1, k1F), (1B, k1, k1B)
4) p4
Where:
- 1B, k1, k1B: slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, k next st, k1 from cable needle.
- 1F, k1, k1F: slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, k next st, k1 from cable needle.
HACHI TWISTS WITHOUT CABLE NEEDLE
If you prefer to work hachi twists without using a cable needle, your row-by-row instructions will be:
1) (Front HT), (Back HT)
2) p4
3) (Back HT), (Front HT)
4) p4
Where:
- Front HT: from the front, pick and knit the second st with your right needle, without removing it from the left needle. Knit the first st and slip both off your left needle.
- Back HT: from the back, pick and knit the second st with your right needle, without removing it from the left needle. Knit the first st and slip both off your left needle.
The “FRONT” and “BACK” nomenclature refers here to the side from where you’ll be picking the second stitch on your left needle.
Let me show you some step-by-step photos.
FRONT HT
Thanks Cecilia. I’ve been using this front HT method on a recent hat (lichen pattern). Just to clarify for the back HT, you knit the second stitch from the back, and the first stitch from the front (as a “normal” knit stitch)? Or did I follow the pictures wrong and you should knit the second stitch tbl too?
Thanks
No, you understand correctly! For the back HT you knit the second from the back and the first normally (from the front). Have fun!
I really love this little stitch pattern. Thank you for the tutorial. No doubts here.
Great! xo